Do you say pass it to port (or left) or leave it to starboard (right)

[shmoo]

The last thing I wanted to do was introduce ambiguity where previously there was none. I have heard, and occasionally used, the expression "Pass it to port" when encountering an object dead ahead. I took it to mean "Pass that object by turning our boat to port": thus the same as "Leave it to starboard".

I will confine myself to the "Leave it..." form in future.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Re: Do you say pass it to port (or left) or leave it to starboard (rig

[ QUOTE ]
I seem to remember reading in a very old Reed's ('70's) something about it being illegal, presumably on commercial-sized vessels, to use the words "left" or "right" in an order the helm. I don't know if this is true, but have tried hard to adhere to proper practice.

[/ QUOTE ]
Wasn't it Michael Green's definition of a Coarse Sailor: "one who in a crisis, cries' For Gawd's SAke, Turn RIght!'" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Alfie168]

[ QUOTE ]
The ambiguity arises when we're talking of another vessel, rather than a buoy.

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But I'm not sailing another vessel, I'm sailing My vessel. Anyway must go, i'm off to see the Damned United abotu Brian Clouch and bloddy Leeds United

Tim

 

[Nico]

Pass the port. No confusion there. But which way should you pass it?

 

[NealB]

I still don't agree with you!

Never mind....enjoy the film (I'll be genuinely interested to hear what you think of it....I read the book, and felt it was a bit of a con).

 

[johnalison]

Re: Do you say pass it to port (or left) or leave it to starboard (rig

Oh yes, Michael Green, what a great man.

 

[bilbobaggins]

It seems quite clear to me that several of the expressions in use afloat can - and may do - cause ambiguity and insurance claims. Such loose language is to be deprecated.

On the other hand, 'Pass the port' is quite clear, unambiguous, and has - on-and-off several continents - always resulted in the desired effect. I commend its use to all those vulnerable to confusion.

....Er, always to the left.

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
...I have heard, and occasionally used, the expression "Pass it to port" when encountering an object dead ahead. I took it to mean "Pass that object by turning our boat to port": thus the same as "Leave it to starboard"...

[/ QUOTE ]
Likewise.

If I was directing someone to overtake a boat going the same direction as us and said "pass it to port" I would expect them to turn the wheel to port and go round them on the left hand side - I do not think anyone would misunderstand that.

If we overtook that boat, found a buoy dead ahead and I again said "pass the buoy to port" I think it would be clearly understood and the wheel would be turned the same way and the buoy would be passed on the same side as the boat - ie left to starboard.

Strictly speaking, the semantics may not be correct, but I don't think there is any ambiguity there.

 

[NealB]

Quote: "but I don't think there is any ambiguity there".

There is definite ambiguity, and some of the other responses indicate that some people would interpret the instruction differently to you.

Res ipsa loquitor!

 

[Alfie168]

The error here is that you are referring to their port not yours. As pilot/skipper you are helming your boat, not the other so a "pass it to port" instruction should strictly speaking only refer to the vessel you are in charge of, in which case you should pass it on your port bow. It is logical when all is said and done.

I understand the cause of the confusion for some, its just that I have never been confused about it. I'd be happy to agree that 'leave it to port' is almost certainly the better way.

Tim

 

[NealB]

Heehee...you and L'escargot will need to be very careful if you ever sail together (or stick with "leave it to..." type commands)!

 

[Chris_Robb]

[ QUOTE ]
Pass the port. No confusion there. But which way should you pass it?

[/ QUOTE ]

To Starboard!

 

[shmoo]

[ QUOTE ]

Quote:
Pass the port. No confusion there. But which way should you pass it?


To Starboard!


[/ QUOTE ]

<mischiefmaking> You may pass it to the left, but you leave the unpassed-to person to the right</mischiefmaking>

 

[Alfie168]

[ QUOTE ]
Heehee...you and L'escargot will need to be very careful if you ever sail together (or stick with "leave it to..." type commands)!

[/ QUOTE ]

I shall make sure my bowsprit is sharpened, and the cannon primed. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It was always more amusing to watch others get involved in shouting matches at disputed mark roundings than to be involved in them.

How about "Pass that land mass to port" and see how you get on /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Tim

 

[NealB]

Quote:

"How about "Pass that land mass to port" and see how you get on"
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Approaching, say, Land's End from the Atlantic, I guess you'd head up Channel and L'escargot will head up the Irish Sea!

 

[Alfie168]

[ QUOTE ]
Quote:

"How about "Pass that land mass to port" and see how you get on"
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Approaching, say, Land's End from the Atlantic, I guess you'd head up Channel and L'escargot will head up the Irish Sea!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats cheating /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Tim

 

[Daedelus]

[ QUOTE ]

"How about "Pass that land mass to port" and see how you get on" [ QUOTE ]


"Pass that man the port, lass" is far better. Cheers

 

[lw395]

Always "leave it to port".
Pass to port sounds like a shortened version of 'pass port to port' when the obstruction is another vessel.
You cannot refer to the port side of an object which doesn't have a bow and a stern, a post or rock does not have a port side.
Alternative is to say 'pass south of' or similar, that is clear to me.
an exception might be overtaking, where you might say 'overtake him on his starboard side' or milling about waiting 'stay well on his port side then pass astern of him' for instance, but you would clearly say HIS port side.
I have enough problems sailing with teachers, who think 'forwards' means 'towards teacher' not towards the sharp end! (seriously! 'pole forwards' can cause total collapse of kite!)
'Up' and 'down' can variously mean up wind, up tide, closer to the next mark, higher number on the compass, towards the bar, oop north, as well as occassionally skywards! I try and make 'up' mean 'towards the wind'.

 

[James_Calvert]

I leave things to port or starboard. For those who get muddled up between port and starboard/ left and right, there's also the cooker side or the chart table side (I guess this wouldn't work for charterers).

Finally, there's the old standby: "no, I meant the other way".

Of course when you have to say this, it is always your fault.

 

[cliffordpope]

Cars have an unambiguous left and right hand side, but bits of road furniture do not. So "Keep Left" obviously means steer to the right.